Toyota Land Cruiser

Comments

My vehicle is a "dressed-up" LC. I too have oil leaks(crankcase & oil pump). I just purchased the truck and was wondering if this is a chronic problem. Any ideas what might cause these leaks?My vehicle has 83K miles. Any additives that would be safe to stop this problem?Thanks!

remember, this is going to be the upcoming tacoma platform, not the current generation. From what they've told us, the upcoming model of the Tacoma is going to be closer in size to the Dakota, so may very well be on that platform.

Re post # 2396I've got a modified 80 and a modified 100. Both with OME suspensions. I believe the 100 is every bit the equal of the 80 in all areas including off road. Problem is different ride heights (about 3.5 " lift in the 80 v.1.5" or so on the 100) Also, one is less inclined to put a 100 in to a tough situation because of the cost of it.

If in fact the LC goes away--hard to believe that will happen--80s and 100s will probably become pretty prized vehicles.

I've heard and maybe some others have too, that Toyota's thinking of having truck only dealerships? If the LC goes to Lexus, maybe it would just be called Landcruiser? After all the LC's the first vehicle that Toyota brought to the US. And don't forget it had a Chevy engine in it =)

I share an opinion with many others who have worked for Toyota for a while. Toyota will always have some version of the Landcruiser available in the US market under the name "Landcruiser". The reason I say this is that the Landcruiser was the first vehicle ever shipped to the US by Toyota and is part of their heritage in this country. If for only that reason, Toyota will probably have a version of the Landcruiser in the US market as long as they sell vehicles here. (which doesn't look like it is going to change anytime soon)

As Toyotaken points out, from the standpoint of tradition, it seems that Toyota will always have an LC here. Also, LCs are produced for many other countries, so having a fully optioned US version probably isn't too hard to accomplish. It's not like they would have to just build a few for the US.

The LX450 engine leaks are likely nothing more than normal oil change crud. The filter is on the side of the block and inevitably dumps down to the ledge where the pan gasket is. All of them I've owned got this way despite my penchant for changing my own oil meticulously. Real leaks from this engine are rare. This "feature" often gets mistaken for a rear main seal as well.

80 vs 100 offroad is an interesting topic, but I'd give it to the 80 due to solid front axle and factory lockers F/R. No contest, really. Would really like the 100's V8, however. Hmmmmmm........

As for the LC being the first Toyota shipped here. Incorrect. It was a small sedan of some sort - Toyopet I think they called it?

As for the LC being shipped here with a "Chevy" engine. Incorrect. It was a Toyota engine that many felt was too close to the Chevy straight 6 and started an urban legend. That sturdy chunk of steel was a lot of things, but it was all Toyota.

Finally, as for the "model" being tall - that is Jim Press, President of Toyota USA and he's about 6'1"

Here are some pics of my 100 series. They are pretty tame, I was just checking out the articulation with the new suspension. Also, I am not from Alaska, I just purchased a plate at a flea market when I was up there two years ago. I would however like to drive from Raleigh, NC all the way to Alaska one day, of course in the LC. The vehicle is fitted with an ARB Winch bar (no winch), PIAA lights, OME Lift kit, Sway Away front torsion bars, 285/76 R 16 BFG AT KO's, canvas SOR seat covers for the dog, husky liners throughout and a baby seat. The vehicle has 66k miles and the only problem to report was the throttle position sensor and it was replaced.

Thanks for the info. I have an appointment at the local Toyota dealer to change two seals(approx.$600). I just got off the phone questioning them and relating your post to them.They said that they would double check before installing the new seals. I am going to take the vehicle to the dealership and talk with the service technician. Any suggestions as to what I should look for or question further?By the way, the oil has been changed recently.

The crankcase and oil pump seals are to be replaced. How many miles on your LC? I phoned a Lexus dealer($1500 estimate) and a different Toyota dealer($750 estimate) for quotes.I wonder what is going on? The range of the quotes for the same service is unbelievable.

How much damage would expect a 100 series to get going over the Alaska highway a couple times? Would you get windshield cracks and dented fenders from the gravel? Would you tape up the headlights? Or apply a heavy coat of wax? Or maybe I'm worrying too much?

Idaho Doug: I'll defer to you on this, but I'm fairly certain that Toyota "bought" the design, if not an actual engine from Chevy for the LC. A 235 Blue Flame. Had forgotten about the Toyopet. That would make a good trivia question.

As to 100 v 80 off road. Don't forget there is a solid axle 105 series available--just not here. But for my needs, I consider both more than capable. Agree that articulation in the 100 is not the equal of the 80, but I'm not doing any rock crawling in either of them. Would be interesting to see a 100 in that situation.

Windshield dings are a possibility - more so in the construction zones, since most of it is paved these days. Ditto the headlights, but covers are easily available at Dawson Creek or you can try some of that 3M or Stoneguard stuff.

My last few trips I didn't bother with doing anything special - just watch the "bump" signs 'cause they mean it. And grab a Milepost.

The Toyota USA website has some problems with its history at times. Anyway, the Crown was the first vehicle sold by Toyota in the USA. Crown is a recurring name in Toyota vehicles. It was a disaster, but the TLC did OK.

The 105 is not V8 powered, so you may as well keep your 80 series if you want a live axle. I doubt Oz will see live axle TLCs for very long other than the 7x series.

#2444. Yeah, the 105 has the 4.5L six. I'm not that fanatical about live axle v IFS/solid rear combo. I've been told, maybe you have too, that Toyota was considering dropping the live axle in the LC, but lots of Oz mining companies etc said they'd switch to Nissan's or something if they did. I think the Patrol is live axle F&R.

Gene - As for taking it to the dealer and having them decide if it's a leak or not now that you discussed it with them - I think you're being awfully kind. They've put time into an inspection and estimate and when they get it into their shop, they're going to put a new seal in it and get their money from you. And they'll assure you it was leaking.

Personally, I'd do what I did. Get a can of foaming engine cleaner, slide under and spray the sides of the block and the areas with oil, then hose it off. Several months later, I slid under to change the oil and the entire block was still bare dry metal. A month after I changed the oil, the block had telltale traces of oil here and there, and a line around the pan seam from the oil change splatter. My brother owns 2 and he reported the exact same thing. It ends up around the rear main area due to air flow from the fan and vehicle movement. The leak diagnosis is an honest and frequent mistake by dealers, but a misdiagnosis in all likelihood. Toyota does not use a gasket on this engine's pan - it's called FIPG and is basically a wet gasket that cures into a flexible rubber glue - tough stuff. Drop $9 on a couple engine foaming cleaner cans and a half hour of your time. You'll see. Then spend the money you did not waste on a nice weekend with your wife - much higher return on investment.

94117 - As for headlight and fender protection, you should stop here in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho on your way to Alaska. One of the businesses I own is a company that provides paint and light protection to the area dealers and will have your Cruiser done at wholesale. We use 3M's latest paint protection to create an "invisible bra" that stops rock chips, and 3M's new headlight film to protect headlamps. Great stuff and you never have to worry again. We have bad rock chipping here, too. I demonstrate it with a shotgun on painted metal plates.

SteelCruiser - The urban legend that Toyota "stole" the design of the Chevy six has been around awhile, but it's not true. How do I know? I used to work for Toyota's US headquarters. Also, the 4.0L straight six LandCruiser engine that is the subject of this legend was a low RPM truck block that weighs almost as much as a Chevrolet big block V8. It is absolutely huge and would not even fit under the hood of the Chevy II that was powered by the Chevy "blue flame" six. There were a few similarities, however - thus the legend.

What would happen to the fuel economy if one added a Supercharger to the LC? Most of the TRD Superchargers I've seen advertised were upto the '02 model year..Mine is '03.. Anyone with any pro/con arguments for the Supercharger? I'm not presently in the market to add this but may do it down the road..